Based on his progress late last week, Broncos slot receiver Wes Welker is expected to practice on a limited basis Monday. If all goes well, he could be cleared to fully participate in practice Wednesday or Thursday. That would put him on pace to play in the season opener Sunday night against the Colts at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker, who suffered a concussion in the team's Aug. 23 preseason game against the Houston Texans, will increase his activity level when Denver returns to practice Monday as he continues to progress in the league's concussion protocol. ...

... "One step at a time, still in the process, in (the) protocol. So, he'll be out running around Monday and continue through the protocol, take it one day at a time," Elway said.

Updates from Thursday, Aug. 28

Chris Mortensen of ESPN reported on Wes Welker's condition and his return to the Broncos:

Earlier, Mike Klis of the Denver Post had an update on Welker's status for the Broncos game this evening against the Dallas Cowboys:

Wes Welker was cleared to fly with the Broncos for their final preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Welker has not yet been medically cleared from his concussion to engage in contact, so he won't play in the game Thursday night at AT&T Stadium.

Updates from Wednesday, Aug. 27

John Fox talked about Welker's injury, according to Patrick Smythe of the Broncos' PR department:

Players aren't allowed to be in "exercise mode" until symptoms have begun to subside, so that is a positive step. The veteran receiver still needs to clear concussion protocol before he can play in the Week 1 opener against the Colts.

Entering his 11th season in the NFL, Welker has been a durable player. The slot receiver has played in all 16 games during a season six times during his career (four with the New England Patriots).

Joe Mahoney/Associated Press

But his streak of two straight seasons without missing a game came to an end in 2013 as he sat out three games after suffering two concussions. Despite those setbacks, Welker came into 2014 looking to exceed expectations, per Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post:

I love it when they say I can't do it, that I am too old. It's something that motivates me, another challenge. From not getting any college offers except from Texas Tech, from going undrafted, from being traded, and from being in Denver now. It's been one thing after another to overcome. Now it's being old. Yeah, I love it.

Playing in 13 games in 2013, his first with the Broncos, Welker remained productive. He quickly became one of Peyton Manning's favorite third-down targets, finishing with 73 receptions for 778 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Joe Mahoney/Associated Press

Welker showed flashes of his elusiveness during training camp, as Vic Lombardi of CBS4 notes:

As for his production during his career, Mike Jurecki of Fox Sports points out how great he's been:

Losing that type of player would be huge for most teams, but the Broncos have a plethora of talent in the passing game. If Welker is forced to miss time, veteran Demaryius Thomas, free-agent pickup Emmanuel Sanders, rookie second-round pick Cody Latimer and running back Montee Ball will get more targets.

Welker not being in the slot would also mean more reliance on tight end Julius Thomas in third-down situations. With his size and strength, the 2013 breakout player has a chance to replicate his numbers (65 receptions, 788 yards, 12 touchdowns) with Manning under center.